BBQ Meatballs - Easy and Delicious Homemade Meatballs covered in Barbecue Sauce. (2024)

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These BBQ Meatballs feature homemade meatballs topped with your favorite BBQ sauce and baked until the glaze is perfectly sticky. An easy (and irresistible) appetizer or entree!

Easy BBQ Meatballs Recipe

These BBQ meatballs have quickly become a family favorite. We serve them both as a party appetizer on game day and as an easy weeknight dinner over rice.

The best part about them is that you can customize them each time you make them, by using a different BBQ sauce each time. Perfect for adding the recipe to your regular dinner menu, without feeling like you’re eating the same thing all the time!

I used both ground beef and ground pork in the meatballs, which adds flavor, and the barbecue sauce is mixed right in with the meat. That helps keep the meatballs extra moist and ensures there’s plenty of BBQ flavor in every bite!

If you prefer a slow cooker version, check out my slow cooker BBQ pineapple meatballs.

Why You’ll Love These BBQ Meatballs

Here are a few reasons why our family loves these BBQ glazed meatballs.

• Juicy, flavorful meatballs. The meatballs themselves are made with a mixture of ground beef and pork, plus a few seasonings and aromatics, and BBQ sauce mixed right in. They’re juicy and flavorful before you even add the glaze!
• Customize with your favorite BBQ sauce. You can use any BBQ sauce you love on these meatballs. I like to switch between my classic homemade BBQ sauce and my Dr Pepper BBQ sauce.
• Versatile. These meatballs can be enjoyed as an appetizer or an entree, however you prefer!

What You’ll Need

These meatballs are made with just a handful of ingredients. Scroll down to the recipe card below for measurements.

• Ground beef & ground pork – Using a mixture of ground beef and pork creates the best flavor in these BBQ meatballs.
• Onion & garlic – Aromatics to add flavor to the meat.
• Seasonings – Chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
• Panko breadcrumbs – Add texture and help the meatballs keep their shape.
• BBQ sauce – You can use any BBQ sauce you desire, like our homemade BBQ sauce or Dr Pepper BBQ sauce.

How to Make BBQ Meatballs

Here’s a quick overview of how to make these BBQ meatballs in the oven. See the recipe card below for more detailed instructions.

• Combine the ingredients. Combine all of the ingredients, using only 1/4 cup of BBQ sauce, until evenly incorporated.
• Form the meatballs. Form the mixture into meatballs approximately 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until no longer pink in the middle. Remove the meatballs from the oven and increase the temperature to 425F. Brush the meatballs with the remaining BBQ sauce. Bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the BBQ sauce is sticky and caramelized.

Serving Suggestions

These BBQ meatballs make a great appetizer for parties and the holidays, served with toothpicks for easy grabbing. You can also serve them as the main course, with sides like coleslaw and cornbread or mashed potatoes and green beans. Mac and cheese would also make a great side dish for these.

If desired, you can also garnish the meatballs with chopped green onions for added freshness and flavor before serving. We also like to serve some extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.

How to Store & Reheat Leftovers

• Fridge. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheat. Reheat the meatballs in the microwave or oven until heated through before serving.

More Meatball Recipes To Try

• Swedish Meatballs
• Teriyaki Meatballs
• Grape Jelly Meatballs
• Sweet and Sour Meatballs
• Dr. Pepper Meatballs